Gang smuggling arms from J&K busted, eight China pistols seized

The police, on Thursday, claimed to have busted a gang, involved in the smuggling of weapons from Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), and arrested two persons, including a resident of Kathua in J&K, and recovered eight illegal weapons from them.

The police, on Thursday, claimed to have busted a gang, involved in the smuggling of weapons from Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), and arrested two persons, including a resident of Kathua in J&K, and recovered eight illegal weapons from them.

Inspector general of police (IGP), Bathinda zone, SK Asthana, along with senior superintendent of police (SSP) Swapan Sharma, said at a press conference here that one Rocky, a resident of Ruldu Singh Wala village, here was nabbed by the police a few days ago with an illegal weapon who, during interrogation, revealed his links with the gang. Rocky is now out on bail.

The police have arrested another accused, Kamaljit Singh alias Rinku, a resident of Jasrota in Kathua while his accomplice Birbant from Sirsa in Haryana is yet to be nabbed. The police have recovered eight made-in-China .30-bore pistols with 100 cartridges from the accused. “Rocky revealed that he and Birbant Singh had met at a marriage ceremony seven years ago. Both contacted Rinku for supply of weapons saying that the .30 bore pistols were in huge demand. Rinku used to purchase the weapons from a fruit seller in Srinagar and supply the same to Rocky and Birbant .” said Asthana. The accused bought an arm at Rs 1.5 to 2 lakh and sell it between Rs 3 lakh to Rs 6 lakh.